General Manager - Automotive

A leading dealership group in Penang is seeking a General Manager - Automotive to provide strategic direction and operational oversight for their New Vehicle Sales division.

This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of multiple dealership outlets, drive business growth, and foster a culture of collaboration and customer-centricity. You will be empowered to lead a team of Outlet Managers, develop innovative sales strategies, and ensure the highest standards of operational excellence. The organisation values your commitment to nurturing talent, supporting cross-functional teamwork, and maintaining rigorous compliance with industry standards. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and thrive in an environment that rewards responsible leadership, this is your chance to make a significant impact.

• You will have the authority to direct all New Vehicle Sales operations across three prominent outlets in Penang, ensuring consistent implementation of dealership standards and driving business performance.
• Your role will focus on building strong relationships with key stakeholders, identifying new business opportunities, and supporting marketing campaigns to maximise sales potential.
• The organisation offers a supportive environment where your ability to coach, mentor, and develop teams will be highly valued, alongside your expertise in financial management and operational improvement.

What you'll do:

As General Manager - Automotive, you will play a central role in shaping the strategic direction of multiple dealership outlets. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating closely with Outlet Managers to drive sales growth through well-crafted strategies that respond to market dynamics. You will oversee operational efficiency by standardising processes across locations while ensuring each showroom delivers a welcoming environment for customers. Success in this role requires you to nurture talent within your team through coaching and mentoring sessions that promote continuous improvement. You will also manage departmental finances with care, balancing cost control with customer satisfaction and uphold rigorous compliance standards. By building strong stakeholder relationships and supporting impactful marketing initiatives, you will help expand the business footprint while maintaining the highest levels of professionalism expected from a leading dealership group.

• Develop and implement comprehensive sales plans that align with company targets while monitoring performance against budgets, forecasts, and KPIs across all dealership outlets.
• Lead the New Vehicle Sales operations by providing guidance to Outlet Managers in Penang, Prai, and Nibong Tebal, fostering collaboration between locations for shared success.
• Analyse market trends, competitor activities, and customer demands to identify growth opportunities and ensure achievement of monthly, quarterly, and annual sales objectives.
• Coach, mentor, and conduct regular performance reviews for Outlet Managers to support continuous improvement and talent development within the sales team.
• Standardise sales processes and best practices across all outlets while ensuring adequate staffing levels through effective manpower planning.
• Oversee showroom operations to maintain professional presentation standards and deliver an outstanding customer experience at every touchpoint.
• Manage departmental budgets and operating expenses by monitoring profitability per outlet and recommending corrective actions as needed without compromising customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, SOPs, internal controls, regulatory requirements, and audit documentation standards.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including UMW Toyota Malaysia while developing initiatives to increase fleet sales and corporate business opportunities.
• Support marketing campaigns and promotional activities designed to maximise sales opportunities throughout the region.

What you bring:

To excel as General Manager - Automotive, you bring extensive experience relevant sector, ideally having managed multi-branch dealership operations at a senior level. Your academic background equips you with foundational knowledge in business administration or related fields; an MBA further enhances your strategic perspective. You are adept at leading large teams through collaborative approaches that foster mutual support among colleagues. Your understanding of dealership operations—especially those aligned with Toyota standards enables you to implement best practices consistently across outlets. Analytical thinking guides your decisions as you monitor key performance indicators while identifying opportunities for operational improvements. Your resilience helps navigate change management scenarios smoothly; integrity underpins every action taken on behalf of the organisation. Above all else, your customer-centric mindset ensures every interaction reflects professionalism and empathy, building loyalty among clients while supporting sustainable business growth.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Management or equivalent qualification is required; an MBA is considered an added advantage for candidates seeking senior leadership roles.
• Minimum 10–15 years’ proven experience in vehicular sales with at least 5 years spent overseeing multi-branch dealership operations at a senior management level.
• Demonstrated track record managing large sales teams including senior managers while fostering collaborative environments that encourage cross-functional teamwork.
• Strong knowledge of Toyota dealership operations is highly preferred along with familiarity in implementing corporate governance requirements within automobile retail settings.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills combined with excellent communication abilities enable you to build trust-based relationships both internally among teams and externally with stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset supported by data-driven decision-making capabilities allows you to monitor performance metrics effectively while identifying areas for process improvement.
• Resilient approach ensures adaptability during periods of change management or when facing challenging market conditions; your integrity remains uncompromised throughout.
• Customer-focused attitude drives your commitment towards delivering outstanding experiences at every stage of the sales journey while maintaining operational excellence.
• Commercial acumen enables you to manage departmental budgets efficiently—maximising profitability without sacrificing quality or service standards.
• Experience in business development activities such as negotiating strategic partnerships or supporting marketing campaigns is highly desirable for expanding corporate sales.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as one of the most respected automobile groups—renowned for its commitment to operational excellence and customer satisfaction across multiple dealership outlets. Employees benefit from a supportive leadership structure that prioritises personal development through coaching and mentoring initiatives. The company fosters an inclusive environment where collaboration between teams is encouraged; cross-functional teamwork forms the backbone of its success. With a focus on maintaining high standards aligned with global brands like Toyota, staff are empowered to contribute ideas that drive innovation within their respective roles. Opportunities for career progression abound thanks to succession planning efforts that recognise individual achievements while promoting communal growth. The organisation’s dedication to compliance ensures stability even during challenging market conditions—making it an ideal workplace for professionals seeking long-term fulfilment within the automobile industry.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a rewarding challenge where your leadership can truly make a difference across multiple dealerships, this is your moment to shine!

Apply today by sending your CV to desmond.khoo@robertwalters.com.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C